U.S. patent number 7,383,654 [Application Number 11/233,293] was granted by the patent office on 2008-06-10 for door handle with interchangeable graphic display.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Exclusive Door Handles, Inc.. Invention is credited to William E. Becker, Archie A. Olivier.
United States Patent |
7,383,654 |
Olivier , et al. |
June 10, 2008 |
Door handle with interchangeable graphic display
Abstract
Apparatus and method for providing a door handle adapted to
receive interchangeable display inserts. The door handle includes a
handle body adapted to be coupled to a door of an enclosure. A
receiving space is provided within the handle body for exchangeably
receiving a display insert. A protective front facing planar member
is located at a front face of the door handle and a graphic display
is positioned behind the protective front facing planar member. The
graphic display is visible through the protective front facing
planar member by a person upon approach to the door handle.
Inventors: |
Olivier; Archie A. (Plano,
TX), Becker; William E. (Dallas, TX) |
Assignee: |
Exclusive Door Handles, Inc.
(Dallas, TX)
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Family
ID: |
35598694 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/233,293 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2005 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20060012189 A1 |
Jan 19, 2006 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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09370133 |
Aug 5, 1999 |
6948272 |
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09207221 |
Dec 8, 1998 |
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08845861 |
Apr 28, 1997 |
6119385 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
40/661.12;
40/331; 40/599; 40/611.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B
1/0015 (20130101); G09F 7/08 (20130101); G09F
19/22 (20130101); E05B 1/0084 (20130101); E05B
65/0025 (20130101); Y10T 292/57 (20150401); Y10T
16/458 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
G09F
3/18 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;40/661.12,599,611.01,331 ;16/412-414,903,111.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0713819 |
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May 1996 |
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EP |
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176590 |
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Mar 1922 |
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GB |
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1018163 |
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Jun 1966 |
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GB |
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2131290 |
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Jun 1984 |
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GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Davis; Cassandra
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Judson; David H.
Parent Case Text
RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/370,133,
filed Aug. 5, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,948,272, which application
was a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/207,221, filed Dec.
8, 1998 now abandoned, which application was a continuation-in-part
of U.S. Ser. No. 08/845,861, filed Apr. 28, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No.
6,119,385.
Claims
What is claimed and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is
as follows:
1. A door handle assembly adapted to receive interchangeable
display inserts, comprising: a handle body adapted to be coupled to
a door, the handle body having a securable portion configured for
attachment to the door and a graspable portion configured for being
grasped, the door handle assembly being configured to position the
graspable portion at a distance from a forward face of the door
when the door handle assembly is attached thereto; and the
graspable portion having a support surface, opposed top and bottom
members, and a pair of opposed side members each of which include
an inwardly-extending retaining flange thereby forming a receiving
space, the receiving space being adapted for exchangeably receiving
a display insert, the graspable portion further including a
protective, transparent, front-facing member overlying the support
surface and adapted to be removably received in the pair of opposed
side members by the inwardly-extending retaining flanges; wherein
at least one of the opposed top and bottom members is
detachable.
2. The door handle assembly as described in claim 1 further
including the display insert located within the receiving
space.
3. The door handle assembly as described in claim 2 wherein the
graspable portion further includes: a backing sheet supported
within the receiving space and adapted to underlie and support the
display insert.
4. The door handle assembly as described in claim 1 further
including a light source.
5. The door handle assembly as described in claim 1 further
including a sound source.
Description
DESCRIPTION
Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to attachments for doors
and in particular to door handles configured to accommodate
interchangeable graphic displays.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In commercial settings, door pulls and push bars that are mounted
on entrance and exit doors of commercial buildings are generally
appreciated exclusively for their functional characteristics as
they relate to opening doors which are generally biased to a closed
position. Predominately, such doors are hinged for pivotation and
are swung out of the way be a person desiring to pass therethrough.
The conventional design for door pulls and push bars utilized on
these door types are generally well known. In the instance of door
pulls, an angled structure is usually employed having a free edge
easily grasped by the user. A door pull is typically positioned on
the side of a door that is pulled toward the user for opening. The
location of the door pull is several feet above ground level at a
location that is easily graspable by a majority of the public.
Often, the door pull has a vertically measured height that is
greater than its horizontally measured width.
A push bar is often positioned on the opposite side of a door to a
door pull. In many instances, especially in commercial settings,
entrance and exit doors are arranged to open outwardly from the
building's interior. This is a safety feature that helps assure
that the door will open if rushed in an emergency situation from
the inside. In keeping with this feature, push bars are often
incorporated into a latching mechanism that upon actuation by a
push pressure upon the push bar, a door latch is disengaged thereby
allowing a previously latched door to be opened by a continued push
force by the user. Like the door pull, the push bar is normally
located on a door at a height easily embraced by an approaching
user. Contrary to the door pull's design, however, the push bar
generally has a width that substantially spans the door's width and
resultingly has a horizontally measured length greater than its
vertically measured height.
To improve the appearance of a business establishment, door handles
and push pads are sometimes ornately designed. Rarely, however, are
these devices customized for a particular business by incorporating
a company logo or other signage into the handle or push pad.
Furthermore, those occasional prior attempts to do so have produced
less than satisfactory results. Specifically, door handles having a
metal exterior surface shaped to incorporate a company logo and
painted to correspond to the company's color scheme are known. Not
only are such door handles exceedingly expensive to manufacture,
repeated use of the door handle often causes the painted exterior
surface to quickly appear worn, resulting in added costs if
frequently needed touch-ups are applied.
While conventional designs and orientations for door pulls and push
bars have considered their positioning and configuration for
facilitating engagement by the user, the visual attention that each
of these two structures typically receives has been overlooked.
Each time a person enters or exits a building, they, either
consciously or unconsciously, make a visual fix on the door handle
for engagement purposes, regardless of whether the handle takes the
form of a door pull or push bar. That means, that even if just for
a split second, not only is the person glancing at the door handle,
but they are also concentrating on it. Given that many commercial
buildings, and especially retail establishments, experience high
customer traffic into and out of the building, the pull handles and
push bars on the doors to the same are frequently viewed.
Heretofore, the highly visible nature of these door handles has
infrequently been commercially exploited, and has not been utilized
for exchangeable print advertisement. Moreover, there have been no
designs for such door handles that accommodate easy exchange of
visual displays and permit the handle to remain installed upon the
door during the exchange process.
In view of the above described deficiencies associated with known
commercial designs for door handles, the present invention has been
developed to alleviate these drawbacks and provide further benefits
to the user. These enhancements and benefits are described in
greater detail hereinbelow with respect to several alternative
embodiments of the present invention.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention in its several disclosed embodiments
alleviates the drawbacks described above with respect to
conventionally designed commercial door handles and incorporates
several additionally beneficial features that enhance their
attractiveness to the relevant end user.
The door pulls and push bars designed according to the present
invention capitalizes on the high-visibility characteristics of
door handles in a commercial sense that has yet to be exploited. As
explained above, door pulls and push bars on commercial doors, and
especially those to retail establishments, receive a great deal of
attention from consumers as they enter and exit a building. The
present invention takes advantage of the frequency at which these
door handles are viewed by the public for advertising purposes.
The door handles of this invention have enjoyed a progressive
development beginning with an initial door handle construction in
which a permanent advertising piece is permanently fixed within or
upon the body of the door pull or push bar. Through the development
process, however, it has been appreciated that the ability to
accommodate an exchangeable display insert provides multiple
benefits. These benefits run not only to end users such as
retailers who can promote various products and services to each
person entering their establishment, but also to the supplier of
the handles who can further exploit the advertising aspects of the
invention through the continuing service required for manufacture
and distribution of an array of advertising inserts which may be as
simple as exchangeable self-adhesive stickers. Still further, the
distributor of the advertising inserts can additionally sell
advertising to particular entities desiring to have their products
or services promoted through the channels of the retail utilizers
of the door handles. For example, a seller of soft drinks would
very much desire to have their product being the last impression
made on a consumer entering a convenience store. Door pulls and
push bars constructed and utilized according to the present
invention provide this ability for a product or service provider to
make their product or service the last thing on a purchaser's mind
immediately before making a buying decision.
Not only are handles manufactured according to the teachings of the
present invention configured to accept print advertisement for
display toward an approaching person, but they are further enhanced
by a construction that permits the easy exchange of different
advertising pieces. This exchange of print advertisement may be
accomplished in various ways and remain within the scope of the
present invention. A preferred embodiment, however, which is
illustrated in at least FIGS. 4 through 7 utilizes a three-part
insert combination for creating the visual display that is to be
presented to person's approaching the door handles. It is possible,
however, that a similar visual presentation may be accomplished
using a monolithic insert properly constructed to make an
appropriate advertising display. One of the benefits of using the
three-part insert is the ability to use different materials for the
construction of each sheet or layer. The forward and covering sheet
that is exposed at the front face of the door handle can be made of
a sufficiently durable material such as that sold under the
trademark LEXAN by the General Electric Company. Normally, the
front sheet will be transparent for permitting visibility
therethrough. The intermediate sheet is constructed so that it
advantageously accepts or includes a graphic design to be
displayed. Lastly, the third and back sheet is utilized as a
contrasting background behind the intermediate sheet for enhancing
the desired display presentation.
When provided in the above described three-part assembly, the
intermediate graphic display sheet can be readily exchanged for the
purpose of easily presenting different appearances to approaching
persons. In a most commercial of aspects, this graphic will be an
exchangeable advertisement piece that can be distributed easily to
an end user who exchanges the new intermediate sheet for that
presently located in the door handle assembly. In this manner,
advertising inserts can be easily, inexpensively and frequently
distributed to the end user of the handle. It is also in this way
that an entirely new type of advertising service can be offered and
the ads be distributed through the channels of utilizers of the
commercial door pulls and push bars described and disclosed
herein.
It is also contemplated that further nuances may be added to the
display handles such as special lighting effects or sound
presentations that are either automatically or pressure
responsively actuated by an approaching person's presence or the
physical pressure exerted upon the door handle during use.
It should be appreciated that the present invention can be varied
in construction to be accommodated on different styled doors. For
instance, the door pull that is described and illustrated herein
may be utilized on an exterior door or a building, but it can be
equally effectively utilized on a commercial interior door such as
that to a refrigeration cooler in a convenience store setting.
Normally, however, such a cooler door pull will have a width less
than that of the exterior door pull because user leverage
requirements are typically commensurately reduced. Still further,
the general characteristics described with respect to commercial
exterior door pulls are equally applicable to the cooler door pull
configurations and the push bar configurations of the door handles
of the present invention.
In one embodiment, the present invention takes the form of a door
handle that is adapted to receive interchangeable display inserts.
The door handle includes a handle body that is adapted to be
coupled, that is attached, to a door of an enclosure. Normally, the
door handle will have a graspable portion that is positioned at a
spaced-apart distance from the carrying doors near side surface.
Examples of such an enclosure include both private and commercial
buildings, as well as interior enclosures such as cooler doors,
freezer doors, and the like. A receiving space is provided within
the handle body, and preferably within the graspable portion, for
exchangeably receiving a display insert. A releasable closure
mechanism is associated with the receiving space and adapted to be
configured between an open configuration in which display inserts
may be inserted and removed from the receiving space and a closed
configuration in which a display insert is secured within the
receiving space.
In another embodiment, the display insert is additionally included
that is configured to be removably located within the receiving
space for presenting a visual display to a person upon approach to
the door handle. In one version, the display insert has at least
two substantially planar members that are associated together to
fill the receiving space so that they are held substantially
stationary when installed in the receiving space. In this version,
a protective front facing planar member is located at a front face
of the door handle and a graphic display containing intermediate
planar member is positioned behind the protective front facing
planar member. The intermediate planar member oriented so that a
graphic display of the intermediate planar member is visible
through the protective front facing planar member by a person upon
approach to the door handle. While the insert members are described
as planar, it is contemplated that any sheet-type configuration may
be utilized.
In a complimentary embodiment, the present invention takes the form
of a method for accommodating interchangeable display inserts in a
door handle. The method includes providing a door handle that has a
handle body attached to a hinged door of a commercial enclosure.
The handle body includes a receiving space therein, preferably in a
graspable portion, for exchangeably receiving a removable display
insert. To achieve a display configuration, a removable display
insert is installed in the receiving space for temporary display to
persons approaching the door handle. For varying the display,
accommodation for exchanging the removable display insert with a
replacement display insert is provided for presenting an alternate
visual display to persons approaching the door handle. In a
preferred embodiment, the manufacturing technique for the handle
body is extrusion molding resulting in the handle body being of
one-piece construction.
The beneficial effects described above apply generally to the
exemplary devices and mechanisms disclosed herein of the door
handle. The specific structures through which these benefits are
delivered will be described in detail hereinbelow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described in greater detail in the
following way of example only and with reference to the attached
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an elevational view two side-by-side commercial building
access doors, each with door pull handles constructed according to
the present invention mounted thereto.
FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a single commercial building
access door with a push bar constructed according to the present
invention mounted thereto.
FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a single commercial cooler or
freezer door with a more narrow door pull handle than those
illustrated in FIG. 1 with respect to access doors mounted
thereto.
FIG. 4 is a front exploded view of a door attachment constructed in
accordance with the present invention. In the vertical orientation
shown, the door attachment is utilizable as a door pull, in a
horizontal orientation it would be utilizable as a door push bar as
illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.
FIG. 5 is a rear exploded view of the door attachment of FIG.
4.
FIG. 6 is a front exploded view of a door attachment constructed in
accordance with the present invention in the form of a door push
bar assembly.
FIG. 7 is a rear exploded view of the door attachment of FIG.
6.
FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a door pull body.
FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of a push bar body.
FIG. 10 is a rear exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a
door attachment constructed according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a rear view of an additional alternative embodiment of a
door attachment constructed according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a front view of a housing portion of the door attachment
of FIG. 10.
FIG. 13 is a rear view of the housing portion of FIG. 12.
FIG. 14 is a partial horizontal cross-sectional view of the door
attachment of FIG. 10.
FIG. 15 is a partial front view of a building having a pair of
doors to which door handle assemblies are, one each, mounted
thereupon.
FIG. 16 is a top plan view of one door pull handle of FIG. 15.
FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a door pull body similar to that
shown in FIG. 8, and also including a spacing ridge or projection
for separating different layers of a multi-layer display
insert.
FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of a push bar body similar to
that shown in FIG. 9, and also including a spacing ridge or
projection for separating different layers of a multi-layer display
insert.
MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are
disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that
may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are
not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated or
minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore,
specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not
to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims
and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art
to variously employ the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION RELATING TO THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
SHOWN IN FIGS. 1-9 AND 17
FIGS. 1-3 illustrates three primary settings or locations at which
various embodiments of the present invention may be utilized. FIG.
1 illustrates a door assembly 7 configured as a pair of swinging
access doors 10 typically found at commercial and retail
establishments. As shown, each door 10 comprises a peripheral door
frame 8, typically constructed from metal, surrounding a plate
glass or plastic sheet interior section 9. Each door frame 8 is
hinged at an outer side edge to the building and the balance of the
door 10 is permitted to swing about this hinged edge relative to
the building. A door handle or attachment 11 constructed according
to the present invention is mounted to each door 10 of the pair,
preferably at a location on the frame 8 at the side edge opposite
the hinged edge. The door handle 11 is constructed in the form of a
door pull in FIG. 1 and is therefore mounted on the pull side 14 of
the door 10 proximate the door's 10 forward face 12.
FIG. 2 illustrates a single building access door 10 having a push
bar used by an approaching person to push the door open. In an
optional configuration of the door 10, the push bar is a component
of a pressure actuated latching mechanism for the door 10.
FIG. 3 illustrates a single cooler or freezer door 10 having a door
handle 11 constructed according to the teachings of the present
invention mounted thereupon. As compared to the handle of the
access door illustrated in FIG. 1, the width of the cooler door
pull is more narrow, at least in part because of the reduced amount
of leverage required to open the smaller and lighter cooler
door.
Referring to FIGS. 4-7, a door handle or attachment 11 is shown in
the form of a pull handle. Attachment 11 is generally rectangular
in shape and has two primary component portions: (1) a graspable
portion 18 in which a housing portion 13 is formed and (2) door
mounting hardware 17. In the preferred embodiment, these components
are formed from extruded metal, preferably aluminum and together
the components establish a handle body 16.
Attachment 11 has a backplate 21 and two parallel side members 25,
all of which are constructed integrally with one another in that
illustrated embodiment. Each side member 25 has a beveled front
surface 27 to give housing 13 a smooth finish with rounded corners.
A large rectangular forward opening 29 extends interiorly between
front surfaces 27. The width of opening 29 is slightly smaller than
the width of housing 13 to provide opening 29 with a large area.
Opening 29 is partially defined by a pair of inwardly extending
flanges or retainer lips 31 along its front side edges. The inner
surfaces of lips 31 are flat and parallel to the general
orientation of housing 13. Lips 31 have rounded or tapered edges 33
on their front outer surfaces and have a generally consistent
thickness and width.
Side members 25 each have a flat inner track or sidewall 41 which
are parallel to one another and together partially define a
substantially rectangular internal cavity or receiving space 19.
Sidewalls 41 extend from lip 31 to a front surface of backplate 21.
Backplate 21 has a slightly larger surface area than forward
opening 29 as a result of the inwardly projecting retaining lips
31. Backplate 21 also has a threaded aperture or hole 51 located
near each of its four corners.
Door attachment 11 has a detachable top cap or closing stop 53 and
bottom cap or arresting stop 55 which are substantially identical
in shape and size. In the illustrated embodiment, closing stop 53
provides a releasable closure mechanism for securing graphic
display 6 within the housing 13. When viewed from above, caps 53
and 55 each have the same cross-sectional profile as the internal
receiving space 19 in housing 13. Each cap 53, 55 has a generally
rectangularly-shaped elongate body 57 with a long flat rear surface
59, and a front surface 61 that is contoured to the shape of
opening 29 and lips 31. The front surfaces 61 each have a pair of
notched ends or shoulders 63 on their lateral sides which have flat
vertical faces. Rear surface 59 has a pair of threaded blind holes
65 located near shoulders 63. The arresting stop 55 is configured
to be secured in a lower open end portion of the receiving space
19, while the closing stop 53 is configured to be secured in the
upper open end or access portion 20 of the receiving space 19. The
stops 53, 55, together with the retainer lips 31 define a display
exposure frame 22 for a graphic display insert 6 when installed
within the housing 13.
As shown particularly in FIGS. 5 and 7, door mounting hardware 17
is integrally formed with backplate 21 of housing 13. Door mounting
hardware 17 in FIG. 5 for a door pull configuration comprises a
generally L-shaped protrusion having a stand-off or intermediate
portion 71 and a mounting end or securable portion 73. Stand-off 71
protrudes at an angle away from backplate 21. This configuration of
the securable portion 73 and intermediate portion 71 establishes a
recess 15 between the face of the door and a back side of the
graspable portion 18 of the handle assembly 11. It is this recess
space 15 that accommodates a user's grasp about the door
handle.
A back surface of mounting end 73 is substantially parallel to
backplate 21 and has holes 75 for joining mounting hardware 17 to a
door in a configuration such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. A
vertically-oriented ridge or grip 77 is located on the side edge of
the back surface of backplate 21 opposite the mounting hardware 17
for resisting slippage of a user's grasp from the handle.
In operation, bottom cap 55 is positioned in the lower end of the
receiving space 19 in housing 13 such that its holes 65 align with
the bottom two holes 51 in backplate 21. A set screw 79 is threaded
into each set of holes 51, 65 to secure bottom cap 55 in place.
When bottom cap 55 is so installed, its rear surface 59 abuts
backplate 21, its shoulders 63 abut the rearward-facing surfaces of
lips 31, and its front surface 61 is substantially flush with
opening 29.
Next, a series of rectangular display sheet inserts are placed
inside the receiving space 19 in housing 13 on top of bottom cap
55. In the preferred embodiment, from front to back as illustrated
in FIG. 4, these inserts comprise a rigid transparent sheet 81, a
graphics sheet 83, and an opaque backing sheet 85. Each sheet 81,
83, 85 is slightly less in width than the width of the receiving
space 19 in housing 13, and slightly shorter in height than the
height of housing 13. Sheets 81, 83, 85 are slidingly guided into
the receiving space 19 in housing 13 by tracks 41. It should also
be appreciated that the three sheets as described have been found
to provide a desirable effect, however, it is also possible to
create similar effects using fewer sheets. The three-part
configuration though, enables the thinner and less expensive middle
graphic sheet 83 to be solely exchanged, while maintaining the
"depth" effect produced by the three-sheet configuration. This
facilitates the manufacture and shipment of substitute display
inserts 6.
Transparent sheet 81 extends across opening 29 and its lateral side
edges at its front face 82 abut the rearward-facing surfaces of
lips 31. In the embodiment shown, the transparent sheet 81 is
approximately 1/8 inch thick and formed from clear plexiglass or
other suitably durable sheet material and establishes the
predominant surface area of the front face of the graspable portion
18 of the door handle assembly 11. Graphics sheet 83 is placed
against sheet 81 so that a graphic illustration depicted,
preferably on its forward surface, is visible through the front
sheet 81. Sheet 83 is approximately 1/16 inch thick and may be
formed from many different materials, including a translucent
sheet. Backing sheet 85 is positioned behind and against graphics
sheet 83 to press it flat against sheet 81 and remove any remaining
space from the receiving space 19 in housing 13. This tight fit
prevents rattle between the components. Backing sheet 85 is about
1/4 inch thick and may be formed from white plexiglass to help make
the translucent graphics sheet 83 more visible. After sheets 81,
83, 85 are in place, top cap 53 is secured at the top of housing 13
in the same manner as bottom cap 55. Caps 53, 55 secure sheets 81,
83, 85 inside housing 13 primarily against vertical movement.
Door attachment 11 may be installed on a door either before or
after being assembled as previously described. A common
construction for a commercial door frame 8 to which the door
attachment 11 is secured includes a ridge that is receivingly
accommodated in the recess 76 running along the length of the
mounting portion of the attachment 11. Fasteners such as threaded
screws insert through holes 75 in mounting ends 73 for securing the
door pull to the door frame. The configuration of stand-off 71
establishes a recess or space between the door and backplate 21
into which a user's fingers or hand may be inserted to grip housing
13 for pulling the door open. Top cap 53 may be disengaged from the
handle body to remove and/or replace the graphics sheet 83 with
another graphics sheet. When the new graphics sheet is in place,
top cap 53 is resecured to the housing 13. This sequence of steps
may be repeated as often as necessary. The door attachment 11 need
not be removed from the door in order to perform this
interchangeable feature.
FIGS. 4 and 5 disclose embodiments of the door attachment 11 in a
door pull configuration being elongately constructed in the
vertical dimension, while FIGS. 6 and 7 disclose embodiments of the
door attachment 11 in a push bar configuration in which the long
dimension is horizontally oriented. The component parts of the two
assemblies are essentially identical, however, accept for the
portions which affect attachment to the door. In the case of the
push bar pads of FIGS. 6 and 7, horizontally running receiving
angles 90 are included at the back side of the assembly for mating
engagement with similarly configured bars 92 which are typically
part of the door latch assembly coupled to the door frame. Any
suitable mechanism may be employed for securing the angles 90 to
the bars 92 such as threaded bolts through apertures, clamps or
securement straps.
FIGS. 8, 9 and 17 show cross-sectional profiles of the handle
bodies of the attachment 11. FIG. 8 illustrates the monolithic
structure obtained from the extrusion process for the door pull
embodiment of the attachment 11. FIG. 17 shows the configuration of
FIG. 8, with a slight modification that incorporates an inwardly
directed spacer projection 26 that is interstitially located
between layers of the insert. The air space created between layers
of the insert by the projections 26 permits drying of any moisture
that comes between the two separated and adjacent layers thereby
avoiding distortion of the desired display presentation that would
result if water or other moisture were permitted to remain for
extended periods. FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional profile of the
handle body in a push bar or push pad configuration depicted in
FIGS. 6 and 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION RELATING TO THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
SHOWN IN FIGS. 10-14
As may be appreciated from a comparison of the Figures, the
embodiments disclosed and shown in FIGS. 10-14 have many
similarities to those described above with respect to FIGS. 4-9.
The door is described in greater detail as including a first edge,
a top edge, a second edge and a bottom edge The first edge is
pivotally attached to a building while the top, second and bottom
edges are unattached. Fixedly mounted to a front side surface of
each door is a door attachment 11a. While the door attachment 11a
disclosed is a door handle, it should be understood that the terms
"handle" and "attachment" encompass a wide variety of types of door
attachments, including push pads and the like. Furthermore, while
the attachment 11a is shown mounted on the door, it should be
understood that the attachment is equally suitable for mounting on
surfaces other than those described herein. Also, while a suitable
graphic design (as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 as graphic display 6)
may include any artistic rendering, for most commercial
establishments, the business name, logo and/or visual design which
enjoys an association with the commercial establishment may be
preferred. As is suggested herein, however, great value can also be
derived from promotional graphics and advertisements displayed in
the suggested manner. Furthermore, while the graphic design may
include black or another color or colors of print on a transparent,
white or other opaquely colored background, color combinations
associated with the commercial establishment are generally
preferred.
The door attachment 11a is mounted in proximity to the second or
free edge of the door so that the door may be readily pivoted into
an open position by grasping and pulling the door attachment 11a.
The door attachment 11a should also be positioned sufficiently
above the bottom edge of the door so that it may be grasped with
ease. For example, positioning the door attachment 11a about six
inches from the second edge or free edge of the door opposite the
hinges and about three feet above the bottom edge of the door
should be suitable for the uses contemplated herein. Based on a
variety of factors (such as the design of a building's exterior,
the graphic design to be displayed thereby and the intended use
thereof), the door attachment 11a may be variously dimensioned. It
is contemplated that a height of about ten and one-half inches and
a width of about seven and one-half inches will be suitable for
many of both the handle and push pad-type door attachments. It
should be noted, however, that some business logos are better
suited for door attachments having dimensions and shapes other than
those specifically described herein. It should be further noted
that some commercial establishments prefer door-width handles and
push pads which are typically sized to have a height of about six
(6) inches and a width of about twenty-four (24) inches.
Referring to FIG. 10, one embodiment of the door handle or
attachment 11a is shown. Attachment 11a is generally rectangular in
shape and comprises three primary components: a frame or housing
13a, a backplate 15a, and door mounting hardware 17a. In a
preferred embodiment, these components are formed from
aluminum.
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, housing 13a has a top member 21a, a
bottom member 23a, and two side members 25a, all of which are
integrally constructed with one another. Members 21a, 23a, 25a form
a smooth, flush front surface 27a on housing 13a, and are beveled
along their external surfaces to give housing 13a a smooth finish
with rounded corners. A large rectangular forward opening 29a
extends through front surface 27a of housing 13a between members
21a, 23a, 25a. The dimensions of opening 29a are slightly smaller
than the overall dimensions of housing 13a to provide opening 29a
with a large area. Opening 29a defines a thin flange or lip 31a
along its perimeter. The inner surface of lip 31a is flat and
parallel to the general orientation of housing 13a. Lip 31a has a
rounded or tapered edge 33a on its front outer surface and has a
generally consistent thickness and width about its perimeter.
Members 21a, 23a, 25a each have a flat inner sidewall 41a, 43a,
45a, respectively, which are orthogonal to one another and define a
rectangular cavity. Sidewalls 41a, 43a, 45a extend from lip 31a to
a rectangular rearward opening 49a at the rearward surface 47a of
housing 13a. Like forward opening 29a, the dimensions of rearward
opening 49a are slightly smaller than the overall dimensions of
housing 13a. Rearward opening 49a, however, is slightly larger than
forward opening 29a to provide rearward opening 49a with a larger
area than forward opening 29a.
Each side member 25a has a blind hole 51a extending outward from
its sidewall 45a. Blind holes 51a are located adjacent to top
member 21a near rearward opening 49a. Blind holes 51a are coaxial
with one another and have shallow depths which do not penetrate
side members 25a. Bottom member 23a has a pair of parallel through
holes 53a which extend from its exterior to sidewall 43a. Holes 53a
are located near rearward opening 49a or approximately symmetric
about a midpoint of bottom member 23a.
Referring back to FIG. 10, backplate 15a is generally flat and
rectangular, and has a thickness which is slightly greater than a
thickness of lip 31a. Backplate 15a has a rounded top edge 61a, and
square bottom and side edges 63a, 65a, respectively. Each side edge
65a has a blind hole 71a which extends inward adjacent to top edge
61a. Blind holes 71a are coaxial with one another and have shallow
depths which do not completely penetrate backplate 15a. Bottom edge
63a has a pair of parallel blind holes 73a which extend upward into
backplate 15a. Blind holes 53a are approximately symmetric about a
midpoint of bottom edge 63a. Backplate 15a also has a plurality of
mounting holes 75a which extend completely through it from its
front to back surfaces.
Door mounting hardware 17a comprises three components: a mounting
platform 81a and a pair of identical mounting brackets 83a.
Mounting platform 81a is generally flat and rectangular, and has a
sharp, wedge-shaped edge 85a on one end. Platform 81a also has a
sharp, wedge-shaped recess 87a on a rearward surface located near
an opposite edge. Recess 87a is parallel to edge 85a. Platform 81a
also has a plurality of mounting holes 89a which extend through
it.
Each mounting bracket 83a is a generally J-shaped member with a
sharp, wedge-shaped edge 91a on one end. Brackets 83a have a sharp,
wedge-shaped recess 93a on their forward surfaces located near
their midpoints. Recess 93a is parallel to edge 91a. Each bracket
83a also has a substantially flat mounting end 95a located opposite
of its edge 91a. Mounting ends 95a are essentially parallel to the
linear portions of brackets 83a and have at least one mounting
through hole 97a. Finally, each bracket 83a also has a plurality of
mounting holes 99a which extend through their linear portions.
In operation, a rectangular transparent sheet 101a is inserted into
rearward opening 49a and laid flush against the flat surface of lip
31a. Sheet 101a may be formed from rigid plastic or plexiglass, and
is approximately the same size as rearward opening 49a. A graphics
sheet 103a is placed against sheet 101a so that a graphic
illustration depicted on its forward surface is visible through
sheet 101a. Next, a rigid backing 105a is placed against graphics
sheet 103a to press it flat against sheet 101a. Graphics sheet 103a
and backing 105a are approximately the same size as sheet 101a.
With sheets 101a, 103a and backing 105a in place in housing 13a,
backplate 15a may be installed on housing 13a. Alternatively,
backplate 15a may be installed on housing 13a prior to the
installation of sheets 101a, 103a and backing 105a. In either
sequence, backplate 15a is joined to housing 13a with pins 107a
which extend between holes 71a in backplate 15a to holes 51a in
housing 13a. Pins 107a allow backplate 15a to be pivoted about
their axes relative to housing 13a between an open position and a
closed position. With backplate 15a in the closed position,
fasteners 109a may be used to secure the bottom edge 63a to housing
13a and prevent backplate 15a from moving to the open position.
Fasteners 109a engage holes 53a in housing 13a and holes 73a in
backplate 15a.
Mounting hardware 17a may be installed on backplate 15a either
prior to the previously described assembly or after it. Mounting
hardware 17a is installed by sliding edges 85a, 91a into recesses
93a, 87a respectively, so that holes 75a, 89a and 99a coaxially
align with one another. Next, fasteners 111a, such as the screws
113a are used to rigidly fasten mounting hardware 17a to backplate
15a. Finally, door attachment 11a is installed on a door 115a with
fasteners 117a which insert through holes 97a in mounting ends 95a.
This results in a recess or space between door 115a and backplate
15a into which a user may insert his fingers or hand to grip
housing 13a and open door 115a.
In the event that graphics sheet 103a needs to be removed or
replaced with another graphics sheet, fasteners 109a may be removed
to allow door attachment 11a to move to the open position. Backing
105a should be carefully held in place while moving housing 13a
upward and outward away from door 115a to prevent its contents from
falling out. Backing 105a can then be removed to remove and/or
replace sheet 103a. With the new graphics sheet 103a in place,
backing 105a is replaced and housing 13a is lowered to the closed
position and resecured to backplate 15a with fasteners 109a. This
sequence of steps may be repeated as often as necessary. Door
attachment 11a need not be removed from door 115a in order to
perform this interchangeable feature.
Referring to FIG. 11, a second embodiment of the invention known as
door attachment 121a is shown. Like door attachment 11a, door
attachment 121a comprises a housing which is not shown for
simplification purposes, a backplate 123a and mounting hardware
125a. Backplate 123a and its housing are virtually identical to
backplate 15a and housing 13a, respectively, except for some slight
dimensional variations which are used for illustration purposes.
Backplate 123a has holes 127a, 129a, 131a which are identical in
form and function to holes 71a, 73a, 75a in backplate 15a.
Mounting hardware 125a differs significantly from mounting hardware
17a. Mounting hardware 125a comprises a single, L-shaped component
having a plate 141a and a mounting end 143a. A flange 145a
integrally joins mounting end 143a to plate 141a. Plate 141a has
holes 147a for joining mounting hardware 125a to backplate 123a,
and mounting end 143a has holes 149a for joining mounting hardware
to a door. In operation, door attachment 121a is formed in the same
way and functions in the same manner as door attachment 11a, except
for the way it is attached to the door. Similarly, the user may
insert his fingers into the space between the door and backplate
123a to grip the housing and open the door.
Regarding the various embodiments of the present invention, that
is, those handle apparatus and methods that incorporate
exchangeable displays, though each has been described with
particular reference to specific constructions thereof, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that the same principles may
be used in similar arrangements. Furthermore, it will be recognized
that the invention is not limited to the precise structures
described. These and other variations, which will also be
appreciated by those skilled in the art, are within the intended
scope of this invention as claimed below. As previously stated,
detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein
for example purposes; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that
may be embodied in various forms.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION RELATING TO AN EARLY VERSION DOOR HANDLE,
SHOWN IN FIGS. 15 AND 16, FROM WHICH THE PRESENT INVENTION
DEVELOPED
FIG. 15 illustrates a building 10b such as a retail store located
in a strip center or other commercial structure which may be
entered via either one of a pair of conventionally designed doors
12b. Each door 12b includes a first edge that is normally hinged to
the building 10b, and a top edge, a second edge and a bottom edge
each of which are free and thereby accommodate swing action of the
door between open and closed configurations. Fixedly mounted to a
front side surface of each door 12b is a door attachment 14b
constructed in accordance with the present invention to incorporate
a readily visible graphic design 16b. While the door attachment 14b
disclosed is a door handle, it should be understood that the terms
"handle" and "attachment" encompass a wide variety of types of door
attachments, including push pads and the like. Furthermore, while
the attachment 14b is shown mounted on the door 10b, it should be
understood that the attachment is equally suitable for mounting on
surfaces other than those described herein.
The door attachment 14b is mounted in proximity to the second edge
opposite the first hinged edge so that the door 12b may be readily
pivoted into an open position by grasping and pulling the door
attachment 14b. The door attachment 14b should also be positioned
sufficiently above the bottom edge of the door so that the door
attachment 14b may be grasped with ease. For example, positioning
the door attachment 14b about six inches from the second edge and
about three feet above the bottom edge should be suitable for the
uses contemplated herein. Based on a variety of factors, such as
the design of the building exterior, the graphic design 16b to be
displayed thereby and the intended use thereof, the door attachment
14b may be variously dimensioned. It is contemplated that a height
of about ten and one-half inches and a width of about seven and
one-half inches will be suitable for many of both the handle and
push pad-type door attachments. It should be noted, however, that
some business logos are better suited for door attachments having
dimensions and shapes other than those specifically described
herein. It should be further noted that some commercial
establishments prefer door-width handles and push pads which are
typically sized to have a height of about six (6) inches and a
width of about twenty-four (24) inches.
As shown in FIG. 16, the door attachment 14b includes a first (or
lower) body portion 17b, a second (or main) body portion 18b and a
third (or upper) body portion 20b. In the embodiment illustrated,
the main body portion 18b and the upper body portion 20b are
transparent while the lower body portion 17b is opaque colored
material. It should be understood, however, that a partially opaque
or transparent material is equally suitable for use as the lower
body portion 17b while partially or fully opaque materials may be
selected for use as the main body portion 18b and some partially
opaque materials may even be suitable for use as the upper body
portion 20b. Of the various possible combinations of transparent,
opaque and partially-opaque body portions, the most desirable
combination for any given application of the invention will vary
based on considerations such as coloration of the graphic display
16b and/or existence of any color combinations associated with the
subject business establishment. Absent the existence of such a
color combination, however, it is contemplated that an opaque white
lower body portion 17b, in combination with the transparent main
and upper body portions 18b and 20b, will be best suited for most
applications.
A graphic display decal 16b is fixedly attached to the top side
surface 18ib of the main body portion 18b. It is contemplated that
a variety of techniques may be used to affix the graphic display
18b to the top side surface 18ib. For example, a sheet of adhesive
vinyl having a layer of adhesive on a rear side surface thereof and
on which the graphic display decal 16b has been printed or
otherwise formed may be placed on the top side surface 18ib. The
unprinted portions of the sheet are then pulled away, leaving the
graphic display 16b mounted on the top side surface 18ib.
Alternately, the graphic display 16b may be imprinted on the top
side surface 18ib, for example, using a stenciling process or the
like. Of course, in this embodiment a front surface of the graphic
display 16b will have a layer of adhesive. Furthermore, while the
embodiment of the invention illustrated employs a graphic display
decal 16b attached to the top side surface 18ib of the main body
portion 18b, it should be understood that attaching a graphic
display 16b to other surfaces of the door attachment 14b is equally
suitable for the purposes contemplated herein. For example, graphic
display decal 16b may be attached to a bottom side surface 20ib of
the upper body portion 20b. In any event, however, to minimize wear
of the graphic display 16b it is preferred that the display be a
decal 16b which is attached to the door attachment 14b such that it
will be sandwiched between a pair of body portions of the
attachment.
In one embodiment, a first sheet of a transparent polyurethane 24b
is placed between top side surface 17ib of the lower body portion
17b and bottom side surface 18iib of the main body portion 18. A
second sheet of transparent polyurethane 26b is placed between top
side surface 18ib of the main body portion 18b, including the
graphic display decal 16b, and bottom side surface 20ib of the
upper body portion 20b. The door attachment 14b is then heated to a
temperature sufficiently high to melt the sheets of polyurethane
and is then vacuum pressed to remove any air bubbles trapped
between the top side surface 17ib of the lower body portion 17b and
the bottom side surface 18iib of the main body portion 18b or
between the top side surface 18ib of the main body portion 18b and
the bottom side surface 18ib of the upper body portion 20b. The
door attachment is then cooled to room temperature. By treating the
door attachment 14b in this manner, the first and second sheets 24b
and 26b of polyurethane melt to fuse, respectively, the top side
surface 17ib of the lower body portion 17b to the bottom side 18iib
of the main body portion 18b, thereby fixedly securing the graphic
display decal 16b therebetween, and the top side surface 18ib of
the main body portion 18b to the bottom side surface 20ib of the
top body portion 20b.
As described above, the door attachment 14b is configured to
include an opaque lower body portion 17b, a transparent main body
portion 18b, a transparent upper body portion 20b and a graphic
display 16b fixedly secured between the transparent main body
portion 18b and the transparent main upper body portion 20b. This
embodiment is particularly well-suited to serve as a graphic
display for a business establishment. Specifically, the graphic
display decal 16b may be a business logo or other artistic
rendering. Since the upper body portion 20b is transparent, the
graphic display decal 16b is readily visible therethrough. The
opaque lower body portion 17b provides a backdrop against which the
graphic display decal 16b contrasts, thereby substantially
enhancing visibility of the graphic display decal 16b. Furthermore,
the transparent main body portion 18b spaces the graphic display
16b from the opaque lower body portion 17b, thereby causing the
display 16b to appear positioned in a foreground relative to the
contrasting backdrop created by the opaque lower body portion 17b.
The transparent main body portion 18b further enhances the graphic
display by providing a three-dimensional visual perspective.
While the preferred embodiment of the door attachment 14b includes
lower, main and upper body portions 17b, 18b and 20b, it should be
understood that alternate configurations may include various
numbers of body portions. For example, a door attachment comprising
a graphic display decal fixedly secured between either an opaque or
transparent lower body portion and a transparent upper body portion
may be suitable for some purposes. Furthermore, while edge side
surfaces of the lower, main and upper body portions 17b, 18b and
20b preferably have slightly rounded edges, it is contemplated that
the edge surfaces thereof may be formed in a variety of shapes
while remaining within the scope of the invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 16, a mounting bracket 28b fixedly secures
the door attachment 14b to door 12b. As described herein, the
mounting bracket 28b is metal. However, other hardened materials
may be used to form the mounting bracket 28b. Furthermore, while it
is preferred that the mounting bracket 28b be the same color as the
opaque lower body portion 17b the mounting bracket 28b may be any
of a variety of colors. Preferably, the color of the mounting
bracket 28b is selected to correspond with the color scheme of the
graphic display, particularly if the lower body portion 17b is
transparent.
The mounting bracket 28b is preferably comprised of a first section
30b which secures the door attachment 14b thereto, a second section
32b configured for mounting the door attachment 14b and an
intermediate section 34b which couples the first and second
sections 30b and 32b. While the first and second sections 30b and
32b appear generally parallel with each other in FIG. 16, the first
section 30b is preferably slightly angled relative to the second
section 32b.
A layer 36b of adhesive material such as epoxy or the like attaches
bottom side surface 17iib of the lower body portion 17b to upper
side surface 30ib of the first section 30b of the mounting bracket
28b. The mounting bracket 28b is secured to the door 12b by a pair
of bolts 38b, one of which is visible in FIG. 16.
In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of apertures 40b are formed
in section 32b of the mounting bracket 28b. Preferably, one of the
apertures is formed in proximity with a top edge thereof and the
other is formed in proximity with a lower edge. In this
configuration, torque applied to the door attachment 14b is evenly
distributed when transferred to the door 12b, greatly reducing the
likelihood that the door attachment 14b will be inadvertently
detached from the door 12b. It should be understood, however, that
disclosure of a pair of bolts 38b and corresponding apertures 40b
is purely exemplary and that any number of bolts 38b may be used to
secure the door attachment 14b to the door 12b. It is preferred,
however, that the arrangement of apertures 40b in the mounting
bracket 28b be configured similarly to standard door handles so
that existing doors may be readily retrofitted with door
attachments constructed in accordance therewith.
For embodiments wherein the door attachment 14b operates as a door
pull handle, it is contemplated that the door attachment be
provided with one or more gripping surfaces to aid usability
thereof. As shown in FIG. 16, the door attachment 14b is provided
with two such gripping surfaces. More specifically, an indentation
44b is formed in the bottom side surface 17iib of the lower body
portion 17b to provide a first gripping surface and a projection
46b extends outwardly from the first section 30b of the mounting
bracket 28b to provide a second gripping surface. Preferably, the
indentation 44b extends from top to bottom edge side surfaces of
the lower body portion 17b while the projection 46b extends from
top to bottom edge side surfaces of the first section 30b.
The door attachment described immediately above provides a suitable
graphic display, but is not specifically designed to accommodate
exchange of the display. By sandwiching a graphic containing layer
between a top side surface of a main body portion and a bottom side
surface of a substantially transparent upper body portion which are
fused together. In this manner, the graphic display incorporated
within the door attachment is both clearly visible and exceedingly
wear-resistant. Furthermore, by selecting a transparent main body
portion and fusing it to a an opaque lower body portion, a visually
dramatic graphic display is formed which appears to be positioned
in a foreground of a sharply constrasting backdrop.
As noted above, the door handle of the present invention may
include lighting or sound effects. FIG. 8 is illustrative, although
these effects may be implemented in any of the door handle
embodiments. In this, representative figure, the door handle
includes a light source 201, which includes a lighting element such
as a LED, light bulb or other illumination element. Any lighting
element that illuminates the display graphic may be used. In
addition, or in the alternative, the door handle includes a sound
source 202, which may include a sound-producing element such as a
speaker. Typically, the light source or sound source is
self-powered, e.g., through a battery, although any suitable power
mechanism may be used. In either case, preferably the light source
or sound source, as the case may be, is automatically- or
pressure-responsively actuated by an approaching person's presence
exerted upon the door handle during use.
* * * * *